After the crest of the Triftgrätji, the path is largely flat and sneaks between the alpine landscapes until the descent to the Almagelleralp. In the idyllic setting of the Almagelleralp mountain hotel, URS, the refuge goalkeeper for many years, serves his guests just fruit pies just out of the oven. A moment of pleasure not to be missed before going back down in the valley by a steep path. The discovery trail offers a small bonus at the end of the course: two suspended bridges.
2 – The pleasure of cycling for experienced athletes
With more than 80 km of slopes, the SaaS valley also offers cyclists welcoming infrastructure. The Urs pasture cake has time to cook five times during the Saas-Gunde mountain bike hiking in Kreuzboden: the ascent of 918 m through the Mélèzes forests promises intense efforts. Fortunately, hammocks and lounge chairs await you at Kreuzboden lake for a long comfort, after effort. Before getting into serious things during the descent, cyclists can be exercised in the Bike Skills Park.
The trail is classified at a level of average S2 difficulty. In other words, obstacles must be provided like large rocks and roots, furniture soil, steps, wider pin turns and slopes up to 70%. If you intimidate you, you have the option of going back down by cable car from the Kreuzboden or the intermediary station of Trift. Otherwise, start the descent, first on the Flowtrail trift, then on a final “singletrail” through the Furwald area.
3 – Hands and feet, to the top
Take height and take the Mittaghorn via Ferrata. Until the summit cross located at 3143 m above sea level, the route is suitable for beginners, provided you have good physical condition and not be subject to dizziness. This point is important because it is not easy to turn around once we have embarked on the via ferrata.
If these conditions are met, nothing is opposed to a spectacular day. With a backpack filled with food, we reach the departure of Via Ferrata after an hour and a half hike from Morenia mountain station. The progression along the cliff in the direction of the summit lasts about two hours and we climb little by little, with the feet and hands, on metal steps arranged as a makeshift scale.
From the summit cross, you must have good supports to continue the stiff and stony path which passes through the Wandflüe and the altitude station of Plattjen to Saas-Fee. At the end of such an adventure, dinner in a traditional restaurant is twice tasty.
4 – To blow, make the groundhog
After spending yourself in the heights and large expanses of the SaaS valley, the valiant sportsmen are rewarded with a good dose of comfort and pleasure. And what better symbol than the groundhog? Not without irony, she taunts the followers of mountain sports when she gets off, dodue and deeply relaxed, on a rock -based rock.
At Spielboden, some 2400 m above sea level, the marmot path gives a playful overview of the life of the alpine rodent. These small residents being accustomed to humans, they are generally tamed and are readily fed. If the Saas-Fee Tourist Office and the Spielboden restaurant sell food for marmots, they do not relieve a carrot or a few nuts on your own picnic. Tip: To obtain the most touching souvenir photo, offer the groundhog a bouquet of mountain flowers with dandelions. It will hold the bouquet with its legs while nibbling it with delight.
5 – A high place to recharge your batteries in all situations
Located above Saas-Almagell, the Mattmark dam, the largest natural barrage in Europe, offers athletes of all levels of excursion. The postal bus (free from the first night) leads directly to the dam to allow you to savor a few moments of contemplation and rest.
The lake can also constitute the arrival or departure point of a hike on foot or by bicycle. For example, it takes about three hours to get to the lake from SaaS-Almagell, to the southern tip of the valley. Otherwise, a path leads from the dam to the Col du Monte Moro, on the Italian border, where passers -by can obtain the silent blessing of the Golden Virgin or simply marvel at her sparkling statue in the heart of the mountains.
More classic hikers can also go around the dam or get around it by taking the 8 km circular trail. Those who want to go higher can branch off halfway on the 13 km circuit “above Lake Mattmark”. The Mattmark Memorial takes place each year in September in memory of the disaster that occurred in 1965. Originally created as a half-marathon, the event today offers different categories of routes ranging from 8 to 50 km.
In the meantime, the key word is “pleasure without pressure”. The SaaS valley welcomes young and old and guarantees a colorful summer in the Valais mountains.
SaastalCard
In almost all the accommodation of the SaaS valley, the hosts automatically receive Saastalcard from the first night. This allows you to use the ski lifts and the postal bus for free.
Saasfestival
For the fourth time this summer, Swiss artists invite themselves in the region and offer free concerts as part of the Saasfeestival. From July 18 to August 8, 2025, Pat Burgener, Zero operation, Eileen Alister and Izia Jeen, among others, will occur in different places.
